Japanese rider Hikari Okubo will once again replace Luca Grünwald—who is out with a cruciate ligament injury—on the Team Honda Racing Promotion roster in Oschersleben. The Bavarian will be in attendance as a spectator on Sunday. By the way, Honda fans will also have the chance to get behind the wheel themselves in the Magdeburger Börde.
Grünwald’s absence is a blow to team manager Jens Holzhauer, but his replacement, Hikari Okubo, has done a great job: two top-ten finishes to start the season—even though he had never ridden a Superbike before. Grünwald will visit his team in the Magdeburg Börde. The 27-year-old is getting around on crutches. “I have a huge splint on my right foot that keeps it fully extended 24 hours a day,” Grünwald explains. “So I can’t bend my foot right now.” What’s the reasoning behind this conventional treatment? “The goal is for the torn cruciate ligament to heal on its own without surgery. The odds are good. If it works, I’ll be able to avoid surgery. Otherwise, things look pretty bleak for this season. But that’s not the plan, of course.” In early June, Grünwald will be fitted with a movable splint.
For Honda fans, the test ride truck will also be rolling into the paddock off the racetrack. From the Africa Twin to the CB 1000R to the NC 750X with DCT, a wide range of models will be available for test rides. Requirements for renting: a face mask when registering, presentation of a driver’s license and ID card, and your own motorcycle gear (jacket, pants, helmet, gloves, and boots). You can reserve your desired motorcycle even faster online at Honda | The Power of Dreams | Test Ride Truck – Schedule